Back in July of 2010 I wrote an article on what was then known as “Tulelake Newell Times” on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 Tulelake, California.
The following is what was written then and posted on line at www.tulelakenewelltimes.com as well as printed and given out locally in the community of Tulelake and posted all over town on the bulletin boards in the city of Tulelake.
Now back to the Future.
Japanese/Americans Returned to Tulelake
There were a great many other generations who came to see the past
Tulelake, California — Tulelake was honored to have Japanese/Americans returning on six buses. They toured Camp Tulelake, Tule Lake Segregation Center, and Tulelake/Butte Valley Museum. Tulelake/Butte Valley Fair Grounds was where they were served a great lunch in the Commercial Building by the Tulelake Volunteer Fire Fighters.
It was an honor to be among those that were alive in their late teens and early twenties as some made their first pilgrimage, since they were here last during WWII. For others this was their third or fourth trip over the years.
There were a great many other generations who came to see what they had heard about what had happened to their relatives when they were imprisoned at both Camp Tulelake, and Tule Lake Segregation Center in Newell.
I followed along behind bus #592 from the Sacramento Area with the Los Angeles bus #595 in front. (In Los Angeles where I was born and spent over 30 years of my life, before moving north to Redding, then Tulelake. My Mom lived in Malin, OR until her Mom was killed in a deer hunting accident on Timber Mountain in 1938.
They brought her to Camp Tulelake for medical attention. My Grandmother died before they could get her there. In 1938 Camp Tulelake was the closest medical facility. (As a local news source I was honored to be among those to re-live their family roots and mine too.)
Updated with more history, later when I receive emails from many of the great Japanese/Americans I met from many areas on the six tour buses, as I introduced TNT with my business cards and myself. I enjoyed following along and hearing about the history from those that lived it.
When I started out my day the first person I met was Dave Kruse, Superintendent of the Lava Beds National Monument. There are many of us who have lived in what used to be part of Tule Lake Segregation Center in Newell, myself included. I have history and roots here that go back many generations.
What would have been interesting though but I didn’t think of it until now.
Both sides of the story need to be told about this sad time in our history.
James Garland of Tulelake Newell Times (TNT)
Written July 6, 2010
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